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Courmayeur Travel Guide

Located below Mont Blanc on the Italian side of the mountain in
the Aosta Valley, the atmospheric holiday destination of Courmayeur
is full of character with grand old buildings, narrow cobbled
streets and plenty of traditional Italian village charm. The
scenery is also spectacular with views towards Mont Blanc, and the
resort is surrounded by fourteen mountain peaks at the junction of
Italy, France and Switzerland. The village was once known as a spa
town and base for climbing, but became recognised as a ski resort
with the opening of the Mont Blanc Tunnel to provide easy access
from Chamonix and Geneva International Airport.

By European standards the ski area in Courmayeur is small, with
63 miles (100km) of its own pistes and short but numerous runs that
cater to mainly intermediate and beginner skiers and snowboarders.
However, access is provided to the other resorts in the Aosta
Valley, with a combined area of almost 497 miles (800km) of runs
and 32 miles (51km) of cross-country trails available. Chamonix is
just across the border and is lift-linked to one of the resort's
ski areas, offering a wide range of skiing options and off-piste
routes on both sides of the border.

Courmayeur offers skiing and boarding for all standards, but the
groomed slopes are best suited for intermediates, while advanced
skiers will find plenty of off-piste opportunities and high
mountain ski areas. There are two main ski areas at Courmayeur.
Checrouit-Val Veny, directly above the resort, is mostly suited to
intermediates and beginners, although the nursery slopes lower down
are limited and can be crowded. Absolute beginners can also ski at
Dolonne in the village. The most famous run is the 13-mile (20km)
descent of the Vallée Blanche from Helbronner Point at
11,053ft (3,369m) down to Chamonix, which is daunting and
demanding, but can be undertaken by intermediate skiers and
snowboarders. The skiing from Cresta Youla at 8,700ft (2,652m) is
excellent, but higher up at Cresta Arp the terrain is for experts
only and should be undertaken with a guide. The second ski area is
Mont Blanc and is for advanced skiers and boarders; a guide should
accompany skiers on the high mountain terrain and the glacier. Snow
is reliable and there are widespread snowmaking facilities.

Many stylish little shops and speciality shops make shopping an
elegant Italian experience for holidaymakers in Courmayeur and
there are a variety of authentic Italian souvenirs and ski goods to
choose from.

Like most Italian ski resorts, evenings begin with the
passeggiata, a stroll down the main street before a late dinner.
The holiday destination of Courmayeur has numerous restaurants,
cafes, pizzerias and trattorias to suit all tastes and budgets, and
eating out is almost as popular as time spent on the slopes. Most
establishments are fairly informal and relaxed, but there are
upmaket fine-dining options for more romantic and exclusive
dining.

Visitors on holiday will find that the après-ski in
Courmayeur is a drawn out, rather laid back affair with fire-warmed
bars spilling out onto the main street. The bars are numerous,
including cozy traditional pubs, lively bars with dance floors and
theme nights, and stylish venues for the more
fashion-conscious.

There is plenty of winter and summer action to be had while on
holiday in Courmayeur. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful
surroundings and indulge in extensive lunches, cable car rides or
simply soak up the sun at high altitude swimming pools. Besides the
skiing and snowboarding in winter, there is also cross-country
skiing, heli-skiing and heli-boarding, snowshoeing, dog-sledding,
snow biking, ice skating, paragliding and curling. A sports centre
has tennis and squash courts, a fitness club and climbing wall. In
summer there is hiking, parachuting, mountain biking and trout
fishing available.

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Courmayeur Travel Guide

Located below Mont Blanc on the Italian side of the mountain in
the Aosta Valley, the atmospheric holiday destination of Courmayeur
is full of character with grand old buildings, narrow cobbled
streets and plenty of traditional Italian village charm. The
scenery is also spectacular with views towards Mont Blanc, and the
resort is surrounded by fourteen mountain peaks at the junction of
Italy, France and Switzerland. The village was once known as a spa
town and base for climbing, but became recognised as a ski resort
with the opening of the Mont Blanc Tunnel to provide easy access
from Chamonix and Geneva International Airport.

By European standards the ski area in Courmayeur is small, with
63 miles (100km) of its own pistes and short but numerous runs that
cater to mainly intermediate and beginner skiers and snowboarders.
However, access is provided to the other resorts in the Aosta
Valley, with a combined area of almost 497 miles (800km) of runs
and 32 miles (51km) of cross-country trails available. Chamonix is
just across the border and is lift-linked to one of the resort's
ski areas, offering a wide range of skiing options and off-piste
routes on both sides of the border.

Courmayeur offers skiing and boarding for all standards, but the
groomed slopes are best suited for intermediates, while advanced
skiers will find plenty of off-piste opportunities and high
mountain ski areas. There are two main ski areas at Courmayeur.
Checrouit-Val Veny, directly above the resort, is mostly suited to
intermediates and beginners, although the nursery slopes lower down
are limited and can be crowded. Absolute beginners can also ski at
Dolonne in the village. The most famous run is the 13-mile (20km)
descent of the Vallée Blanche from Helbronner Point at
11,053ft (3,369m) down to Chamonix, which is daunting and
demanding, but can be undertaken by intermediate skiers and
snowboarders. The skiing from Cresta Youla at 8,700ft (2,652m) is
excellent, but higher up at Cresta Arp the terrain is for experts
only and should be undertaken with a guide. The second ski area is
Mont Blanc and is for advanced skiers and boarders; a guide should
accompany skiers on the high mountain terrain and the glacier. Snow
is reliable and there are widespread snowmaking facilities.

Many stylish little shops and speciality shops make shopping an
elegant Italian experience for holidaymakers in Courmayeur and
there are a variety of authentic Italian souvenirs and ski goods to
choose from.

Like most Italian ski resorts, evenings begin with the
passeggiata, a stroll down the main street before a late dinner.
The holiday destination of Courmayeur has numerous restaurants,
cafes, pizzerias and trattorias to suit all tastes and budgets, and
eating out is almost as popular as time spent on the slopes. Most
establishments are fairly informal and relaxed, but there are
upmaket fine-dining options for more romantic and exclusive
dining.

Visitors on holiday will find that the après-ski in
Courmayeur is a drawn out, rather laid back affair with fire-warmed
bars spilling out onto the main street. The bars are numerous,
including cozy traditional pubs, lively bars with dance floors and
theme nights, and stylish venues for the more
fashion-conscious.

There is plenty of winter and summer action to be had while on
holiday in Courmayeur. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful
surroundings and indulge in extensive lunches, cable car rides or
simply soak up the sun at high altitude swimming pools. Besides the
skiing and snowboarding in winter, there is also cross-country
skiing, heli-skiing and heli-boarding, snowshoeing, dog-sledding,
snow biking, ice skating, paragliding and curling. A sports centre
has tennis and squash courts, a fitness club and climbing wall. In
summer there is hiking, parachuting, mountain biking and trout
fishing available.